Wig and Hairpiece Care and Maintenance
Synthetic wigs are very easy to care for compared to human hair - yours or a wig. Synthetic wigs are designed to "shake out" and wear with minimal styling. Usually you only need to comb or brush any unruly spots, slip it on, and go! Human hair wigs will require more styling and maintenance.
Do & Don't Tips for your synthetic wig or hairpiece
Avoid high heat - be careful opening hot ovens, leaning over a hot stove, around bon fires, fireplaces, or fireworks and even using curling irons or blow dryers. Most synthetic fibers will frizz or melt from too much heat and hot water can even relax the curl or style a wig was designed with. Heat is actually not good for human hair either. Your natural hair will grow back and be replaced, but human hair wigs do not have that benefit. As the hair becomes damaged or weakened from wear and tear, it will get split ends, quit holding curl, and generally start looking like your not so healthy ends when you need your hair trimmed.
Heat safe fibers on wigs & extensions - Some styles use "heat safe" synthetic fibers to allow changing the style with the use of curling irons and blow dryers but they will still frizz above certain temperatures. Make sure you check your label and follow the instructions to stay within the recommended heat range.
Wearing a wig cap underneath your wig is NOT necessary and many customers like the "wig grip" headbands to wear under the wig to keep their hair back and help it stay in place. If you do want to wear a wig cap, we have them for sale and many customers like the fishnet caps and we also have bamboo wig caps and cotton wig liners for sensitive scalps.
Combs & brushes - It is best to use brushes that are designed for use on synthetic wigs and wavy or longer styles should often only be gently combed with a wide tooth comb. Be sure brushes have the rubber “tips” at the end of each brush bristle to prevent a sharp edge from splitting the fibers and keep the wig from looking fuzzy and dull before its time. Yes, even wigs get “split ends!”
All longer wigs should have tangles combed out at the end of each wearing and we strongly recommend regular use of one of the leave in conditioners "Revitalize Mist" or "On Rite Conditioning Spray" that helps with detangling.
Special care for heat safe fibers - We have seen and heard of even more cases where heat safe fibers have tangled and matted within just a few days of wear. Most have been inexpensive wigs ordered online but we have also seen it with some of our Vivica Fox wigs, especially shoulder length and longer styles. We suspect the more inexpensive heat safe fibers are especially susceptible to tangles setting in as kinks just from body heat. We recommend making sure you gently comb out any tangles every night as prevention. Customers have the best success on the long styles using the OnRite Conditioning Spray or Nova Fiber Soft to help with de-tangling and conditioning. We have also found that careful use of a curling iron or flat iron on the heat safe fibers can "undo" the kinking that can get set in from the tangles. We can also trim off the bad ends for you to extend the life.
Services we offer - We are happy to wash, clean, set, and/or style your wig or hairpiece for you - see our "Services" page.
Washing and conditioning a synthetic wig to do it yourself
Frequency for washing - A full wig or extensions generally need to be washed about once every 10 to 20 times they are worn. The reason most wigs need washed is to rinse the accumulated scalp oils from the cap. However, if you sleep in it or are around a lot of dust or cooking odors, etc. or use a lot of mousse, gel, or spray on your wig or extensions, they may need to be washed more often.
Do NOT use products intended for human hair on synthetic wigs, extensions, or hairpieces. Even the most mild and gentle products intended for human hair will eventually dull the fibers of a synthetic wig. Hairspray for human hair is especially damaging to a synthetic wig and will deteriorate the fibers.
Use ONLY shampoos, conditioners, and styling products designed specifically for synthetic hair. We carry Estetica, Henry Margu, Raquel Welch, Hair U Wear, Nova, OnRite, Jorgen, Brandywine, and CT Solutions products to clean, condition, soften, or style your products. We also have sprays with varying degrees of hold to keep a curly or wavy style holding its best.
1) Prep - Gently brush or comb out the wig to remove any tangles (unless the wig is extremely curly and/or it came with a tag telling you that it shouldn't be brushed). Some of the longer styles may become matted towards the back. It may be necessary to gently separate the tangled strands with your fingers. TIP: Apply wig spray such as OnRite Conditioning Spray or Revitalize Conditioning Mist as a lubricant to aid brushing and easier removal of tangles.
2) Wash - After de-tangling, fill the sink with about 2 quarts of cool water. Never use hot water, as this could relax the curl that was set into the wig during manufacturing. Add the amount of synthetic wig shampoo per instructions on the bottle into the water and then submerge the wig. When the wig is fully wet, swish it around for about a minute, let it soak for a few minutes, and swish again. This will loosen any stubborn debris without rubbing friction. Repeat the washing process if you feel that the first wash has not fully cleansed the cap or the hair.
3) Rinse - Remove the wig from the soapy water and rinse in cool water until no suds remain. Swish in the sink in clear water & change the water a few times or hold under the faucet with the water flowing in the direction of the hair fiber.
4) Condition (if needed) - You can use a conditioner in your rinse water or a spray leave-in conditioner after towel drying to aid later brushing and to return oils lost through the washing procedure.
5) Style (if needed) - You can set with rollers or use clips to tighten up curls or waves before drying or after. However, setting and re-styling is generally not needed for most quality synthetic wigs. Human hair wigs, however, are like your bio hair and will usually need styling after being washed or even after a day or two of wear, depending on humidity, hair quality, age, and the style.
6) Dry - Blot dry with a towel, but don't twist the cap or hair to wring it out. Plan to dry overnight. You can place it on a towel but using a wig stand, especially in front of a small fan, will speed up the drying process. Use your fingers to gently separate and arrange the strands as the wig is drying but do not comb or brush the wig while still wet. The fibers could be stretched to the breaking point if you aren't careful.
Do & Don't Tips for your synthetic wig or hairpiece
Avoid high heat - be careful opening hot ovens, leaning over a hot stove, around bon fires, fireplaces, or fireworks and even using curling irons or blow dryers. Most synthetic fibers will frizz or melt from too much heat and hot water can even relax the curl or style a wig was designed with. Heat is actually not good for human hair either. Your natural hair will grow back and be replaced, but human hair wigs do not have that benefit. As the hair becomes damaged or weakened from wear and tear, it will get split ends, quit holding curl, and generally start looking like your not so healthy ends when you need your hair trimmed.
Heat safe fibers on wigs & extensions - Some styles use "heat safe" synthetic fibers to allow changing the style with the use of curling irons and blow dryers but they will still frizz above certain temperatures. Make sure you check your label and follow the instructions to stay within the recommended heat range.
Wearing a wig cap underneath your wig is NOT necessary and many customers like the "wig grip" headbands to wear under the wig to keep their hair back and help it stay in place. If you do want to wear a wig cap, we have them for sale and many customers like the fishnet caps and we also have bamboo wig caps and cotton wig liners for sensitive scalps.
Combs & brushes - It is best to use brushes that are designed for use on synthetic wigs and wavy or longer styles should often only be gently combed with a wide tooth comb. Be sure brushes have the rubber “tips” at the end of each brush bristle to prevent a sharp edge from splitting the fibers and keep the wig from looking fuzzy and dull before its time. Yes, even wigs get “split ends!”
All longer wigs should have tangles combed out at the end of each wearing and we strongly recommend regular use of one of the leave in conditioners "Revitalize Mist" or "On Rite Conditioning Spray" that helps with detangling.
Special care for heat safe fibers - We have seen and heard of even more cases where heat safe fibers have tangled and matted within just a few days of wear. Most have been inexpensive wigs ordered online but we have also seen it with some of our Vivica Fox wigs, especially shoulder length and longer styles. We suspect the more inexpensive heat safe fibers are especially susceptible to tangles setting in as kinks just from body heat. We recommend making sure you gently comb out any tangles every night as prevention. Customers have the best success on the long styles using the OnRite Conditioning Spray or Nova Fiber Soft to help with de-tangling and conditioning. We have also found that careful use of a curling iron or flat iron on the heat safe fibers can "undo" the kinking that can get set in from the tangles. We can also trim off the bad ends for you to extend the life.
Services we offer - We are happy to wash, clean, set, and/or style your wig or hairpiece for you - see our "Services" page.
Washing and conditioning a synthetic wig to do it yourself
Frequency for washing - A full wig or extensions generally need to be washed about once every 10 to 20 times they are worn. The reason most wigs need washed is to rinse the accumulated scalp oils from the cap. However, if you sleep in it or are around a lot of dust or cooking odors, etc. or use a lot of mousse, gel, or spray on your wig or extensions, they may need to be washed more often.
Do NOT use products intended for human hair on synthetic wigs, extensions, or hairpieces. Even the most mild and gentle products intended for human hair will eventually dull the fibers of a synthetic wig. Hairspray for human hair is especially damaging to a synthetic wig and will deteriorate the fibers.
Use ONLY shampoos, conditioners, and styling products designed specifically for synthetic hair. We carry Estetica, Henry Margu, Raquel Welch, Hair U Wear, Nova, OnRite, Jorgen, Brandywine, and CT Solutions products to clean, condition, soften, or style your products. We also have sprays with varying degrees of hold to keep a curly or wavy style holding its best.
1) Prep - Gently brush or comb out the wig to remove any tangles (unless the wig is extremely curly and/or it came with a tag telling you that it shouldn't be brushed). Some of the longer styles may become matted towards the back. It may be necessary to gently separate the tangled strands with your fingers. TIP: Apply wig spray such as OnRite Conditioning Spray or Revitalize Conditioning Mist as a lubricant to aid brushing and easier removal of tangles.
2) Wash - After de-tangling, fill the sink with about 2 quarts of cool water. Never use hot water, as this could relax the curl that was set into the wig during manufacturing. Add the amount of synthetic wig shampoo per instructions on the bottle into the water and then submerge the wig. When the wig is fully wet, swish it around for about a minute, let it soak for a few minutes, and swish again. This will loosen any stubborn debris without rubbing friction. Repeat the washing process if you feel that the first wash has not fully cleansed the cap or the hair.
3) Rinse - Remove the wig from the soapy water and rinse in cool water until no suds remain. Swish in the sink in clear water & change the water a few times or hold under the faucet with the water flowing in the direction of the hair fiber.
4) Condition (if needed) - You can use a conditioner in your rinse water or a spray leave-in conditioner after towel drying to aid later brushing and to return oils lost through the washing procedure.
5) Style (if needed) - You can set with rollers or use clips to tighten up curls or waves before drying or after. However, setting and re-styling is generally not needed for most quality synthetic wigs. Human hair wigs, however, are like your bio hair and will usually need styling after being washed or even after a day or two of wear, depending on humidity, hair quality, age, and the style.
6) Dry - Blot dry with a towel, but don't twist the cap or hair to wring it out. Plan to dry overnight. You can place it on a towel but using a wig stand, especially in front of a small fan, will speed up the drying process. Use your fingers to gently separate and arrange the strands as the wig is drying but do not comb or brush the wig while still wet. The fibers could be stretched to the breaking point if you aren't careful.